School of Medicine Researcher Pioneers Technology in Study of Cancer, MS

In researching diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, immunologists mostly have had to observe static immune cells in laboratories—until now. Alex Huang, a pediatric oncologist with the Department of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, is using advanced laser technology and computer software to capture 3-D, high definition movies of cell interaction in real life—and in real time.

According to Huang, Case Western Reserve is one of only a handful of institutions worldwide conducting this kind of research.

Huang came to the university from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) where he received funding from the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) for postdoctoral training. In his first year at Case Western Reserve, he has received two grants totaling nearly half a million dollars to further his studies.

He has received the Cancer Research Institute Investigator Award of $200,000 over four years, and the Dana Foundation recently awarded Huang $200,000 in funding over three years for his research in multiple sclerosis. Read more.

Campus News

The Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety recommends that the campus community review the suggested holiday decorating safety reminders. For additional details, call 368-2907.

The Center for Community Partnerships is seeking holiday donations to benefit youngsters who attend Daniel E. Morgan Elementary School in Cleveland. The campus community is asked to participate in Operation Snowflake by donating items such as ethnic baby dolls, stuffed animals, big trucks, cars, balls and/or age-appropriate board games for children in pre-kindergarten to kindergarten. All toys should be new and unwrapped. Drop off items in care of Latisha James in Nord Hall, Room 612 by December 12.

For Faculty & Staff

Full-time faculty members should have received a reminder from Interim Provost Jerold Goldberg about the 2007 Faculty Climate Survey being conducted by the Resource Equity Committee.

The confidential survey, a follow-up to the 2004 Faculty Climate Survey, asks about experiences and quality of life as a faculty member. Send questions to Lynice Willis at the Institute for the Study of the University in Society.

For Students

The Writing Resource Center will offer limited hours December 10-18. Students can view availabilities online. All appointments on December 17 and 18 will be held in Bellflower Hall. Send questions to the writing center.

A Math Gala will be held from 1-6 p.m., December 10 in Thwing Center. Food will be served that relates to the Octoberfest theme, and math professors and instructors will be available to answer questions as well as lead review sessions.

Events

The Case Art Studio "Fall Semester in Review" student art exhibition will have an opening reception from 5-7:30 p.m., December 10 at the gallery, located at 2215 Adelbert Road. The exhibition will feature ceramic art works made by students enrolled in the fall semester art studio classes. The exhibit will continue through December 14. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m.

The Specificity of Paradise, a comic-drama written and directed by John Orlock, a professor in the Department of Theater and Dance, is showing at 7:30 tonight and December 8, and at 2:30 p.m., December 9 at Eldred Theater. The play features the third-year Case/Cleveland Play House Acting Ensemble. Free admission. Details: Call 368-4868.

The next Science Café Cleveland, "What Can Nano Do for You?" begins at 6 p.m., December 10 at the Great Lakes Brewing Company, 2516 Market Ave. Steven Eppell, associate professor of biomedical engineering, and Alexis Abramson, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, are the speakers. Details online.

Et al

Case Western Reserve University ranked in the top 100 of The Academic Ranking of World Universities 2007, published by the Institute of Higher Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Case placed at number 78. Universities are evaluated on several indicators of academic or research performance.

Anne Phalen, a second-year management student with a concentration in marketing, and Michael Benning, a third-year management student with a concentration in marketing and a minor in English, took second place at the 2007 Eller Ethics Case Competition. Twenty teams participated in the three-round competition, which focused on a fictional case that drew upon students' understanding of concepts such as ethical issues facing companies, private vs. public company issues and executive compensation package issues. Phalen and Benning were advised by Steven Feldman, associate professor of management policy.

Case in the News

Crain's Cleveland Business, December 7, 2007 Case Western Reserve University has received a $1.2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to study the effectiveness of a program that aims to make it easier for students of lower-income families to obtain financial aid for college.

The Observer, December 7, 2007 (editorial)
As the semester winds down, The Observer staff offers grades on everything from the first few months of president Barbara R. Snyder's leadership to athletics and the Greenies.

Higher Ed News

Inside Higher Ed, December 7, 2007
The attrition rate for students in Ph.D. programs may be dropping -- at least in fields outside of the humanities, where it appears stalled. That finding is among the most striking in a major study of Ph.D. completion and attrition rates being released today by the Council of Graduate Schools.